My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton―A Love Story of a Founding Mother, War, and the Legacy of Alexander Hamilton

I’m not going to lie. I’m sort of a Hamilton fan. Having previously read Ron Chernow’s compelling biography, Alexander Hamilton, I already knew Hamilton’s wife, Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, was an intriguing and resilient woman. Also, having read America’s First Daughter by historical fiction novelists Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, I knew this dynamic writing duo wouldn’t do anything less than exceptional in telling Eliza’s story; therefore, I highly anticipated My Dear Hamilton. Dray and Kamoie far exceeded my expectations. I absolutely devoured My Dear Hamilton from beginning to end! There’s no doubt that Eliza Schuyler Hamilton lived through an exciting time in American history. She was right in the center in witnessing the birth of a new nation. She’s mostly known as the wife of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States; however, there’s so much more to this woman with a compelling life story. I very much appreciated that her life before marriage is portrayed in My Dear Hamilton. We get to know the endearing relationships she had with her family, especially her father and sisters Angelica and Peggy. It’s with these strong familial bonds that she would deeply rely on later in life. At its heart, My Dear Hamilton is very much a love story filled with betrayal, sacrifice, loyalty and forgiveness. Yes, she was indeed a devoted wife and mother, but she was also characterized in this book as a woman possessing admirable inner strength. Through their intensive research, the authors expertly shape, not only Eliza’s journey through life, but her emotional well being as well. Readers will celebrate with Eliza through her happiest of times, feel utter heartbreak as she endures public humiliation, and be encouraged by her sheer determination and accomplishments. Eliza outlived her husband by 50 years. In her 97 years, it’s fair to say that Eliza Hamilton had loved and lost so much. Her emotions are so thoughtfully detailed with the passing of the most important people in her life. I was very curious about her life after her husband’s infamous duel. There’s a scene towards the end of the book, and this is not a spoiler, where she literally lays everything out in front of her to try to make sense of what she’s learned. I found this moment to be poignant, sorrowful, and something totally relatable as humans. I’d like to think that scene was how it really played out years ago, but it was surely memorable the way the authors depicted how she may have dealt with that part of her life. If Eliza Schuyler Hamilton were alive today, I think she would applaud how Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie interpreted her life though My Dear Hamilton. Another brilliant and fascinating read from these talented authors!

Fascinating and well written.

I love history and I was so excited to read My Dear Hamilton. It was so much more than I expected. It was like taking a behind the scenes journey in the founding of our great nation through the eyes of Eliza Hamilton. What a journey it was! There is so much content in this book surrounding the Founding Fathers and what efforts and sacrifices they went through to establish our country. I learned so much! The authors did a fantastic job of researching and creating a history of Eliza Hamilton based on facts and documents. Her story has so many facets to it. From her childhood and family devotion, to her early adulthood and meeting Alexander Hamilton, to her marriage to him and the life they had together. It was a marriage that was loving and supportive but there were also struggles and difficult times. Eliza was Alexander Hamilton's champion and believed in his love for the country and his desire to make it succeed. This story is a saga that I loved reading and made me appreciate even more what it took to begin our great nation. I appreciate the in depth conversation at the end of the book about what the authors created the story on and their research into writing this novel.

After my loss of words reaction, I can say My Dear Hamilton is unquestionably my favourite book read so far this year (2018). I dived into this novel with no prior knowledge of who Elizabeth Schuyler or Alexander Hamilton were. After finishing the book, it left me with a huge void and a desire to discover more about the people closest to Elizabeth and Hamilton and the legacy they both left. My Dear Hamilton captured my imagination and left me craving more. Of course, Alexander Hamilton himself intrigued me and I fully appreciate why he has become such an iconic historical figure. He is perfect as a romantic hero; dashing, brave and imperfect. However, it is his wife Eliza who is the one full of surprises. Historically, she's known more as the daughter of a general and as the wife of one of the founding fathers; but Eliza's life after Hamilton's death is noteworthy. As well as her stubborn determination to preserve her late husband's legacy, she championed the protection of widows, their children and orphans. A book to savour! With over six hundred pages, Initially, I was a little concerned about my ability to absorb all the historical facts. However, the writers' did a marvellous job of incorporating the finer details within the narrative which not only kept my interest but enabled me to maintain and remember the information as we learn it. Written as a historical novel, the writing style definitely played a significant part in my overall enjoyment of this momentous period in American history. I'm happy with the literary liberties the writers took with some facts and fully appreciate the thought process involved. The inclusion of this information at the end of the book is informative and adds an extra dimension to an already rich text. This is the first novel I've read by these authors. I already own a copy of America's First Daughter and after my positive reading experience of My Dear Hamilton, I can't wait to read it. ***arc generously received courtesy of William Morris Paperbacks via Edelweiss+***

If you’ve seen “Hamilton” the play, you will love this novel. It is beautifully written; and I could easily imagine this story happening. It intertwines historical facts with what may have occurred in the intimate and public life of Eliza Hamilton. I loved how the authors placed Eliza in the middle of many of the historical events and major players during the Revolution. All of it was very easy to imagine. I didn’t want this story to end.

For my book project, I chose “My Dear Hamilton” by Stephanie Draye and Laura Kaye. For the past year my mom had been trying to get me to read this book, and for the longest time I put it off because I thought I had more interesting books on my Good Reads list. As a person who thoroughly enjoyed the Broadway musical Hamilton, I believed I understood the history of the Revolutionary War, but I soon realized that this book adds a whole new perspective to the story I grew so fond of. In the beginning Eliza Hamilton states that she did not know who she was before she met Alexander Hamiiton. This not only surprised me but shocked me that she defined so much of her identity around Alexander Hamilton instead of herself. In the play Hamilton, Eliza is confident and kind and self- reliant. This book made me realize that there is only so much emotional depth a play can show you. Her story is a story about love and loss but what captured me the most was her story about forgiveness. The book is told from the perspective of an older, widowed Eliza Hamilton, looking back on her life and her relationship with Alexander and all the grievances he caused her. Through her eyes, I was not only able to read about their love story, but also all of Alexander’s personal struggles with self worth and identity, something that never occurred to me while watching the play. After watching Hamilton, each time, Alexander Hamilton always seemed like such a hero to me, when in reality, even the strongest man must fight their own problems with dignity. Eliza Hamilton embodies dignity. It was clear to me that Eliza continued to love him deeply and show forgiveness when he often took out his inner battles on her. There was something timeless and pure about her love, something I appreciated greatly when reading. As Eliza says, “Silence is often the only weapon available to ladies. And I wield mine expertly.” That line helped me see her quiet strength, how she didn’t fight with anger or pride, but with grace and understanding instead. In the end, what stood out to me most about Eliza’s story wasn’t just her love for Alexander, but her strength as a woman living in a time when women had very little power. She faced loss, betrayal, and heartbreak, yet she never let those things define her. Instead, she used her pain to build something lasting, preserving Alexander’s legacy and creating her own in the process. Eliza’s quiet determination and resilience showed me that strength doesn’t always have to be loud to be powerful.

Loved the strength of the women portrayed in this book. The development of Hamilton's character was very involved, the growth of Eliza even more so. I highly recommend this book.

A collaboration of two very talented writers brings an insightful image of a remarkable woman Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton: “…the boyish sort of girl who preferred climbing trees and hiking through the woods, or the veritable spinster, more concerned with nursing sick soldiers than landing one for a husband.” But Alexander Hamilton’s love had changed everything. 1780 Morristown, New Jersey. On a cold winter day “and in the darkest hour of the war,” Eliza carries a letter from her father to General Washington at Ford Mansion. At the bustling headquarters, she meets a young aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton. Their attraction is instant. He is torn, because of his background of illegitimacy, not matching her social status. But she accepts him. His manners, intelligence and ambition are what matters to her. As a wife, she learns how to manage temperamental outbursts of her husband. And she learns from an experienced wife, namely Mrs. Washington. “Sometimes we encourage, sometimes we challenge, and sometimes we manage…” 1783 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Now, a congressman’s wife as Hamilton was “elected to serve as one of New York’s five delegates to the Congress of the Confederation.” The Treaty of Paris grants America her independence, forcing the British soldier to leave the newly forming lands. With that, the aftermath brings unstable currency, hostility, and the lawlessness. “No sooner had we driven the king from our shores than we seemed intent on proving that we were uncivilized people who couldn’t live without a monarch to keep us from behaving as beasts.” The confrontation continues with those for or against a strong central government. When George Washington becomes the first President, Alexander Hamilton becomes the first Secretary of the Treasury. As Hamilton’s career advances, his private life takes a different turn. He claims it was a set up involving a woman. And now he is blackmailed for adultery. He “embroiled himself in two affairs of honor in the space of an hour.” Years later, another duel doesn’t go well for Hamilton. Told with impeccable prose and smooth dialogue, progressing easily and naturally. The etiquette of ballrooms, rivalry of soldiers, courtly manners and intelligence come alive in this complex story. Set against the wars for independence and conspiring time to build a new country free of king, with its new laws. It brings a very insightful history lesson, full of ambition, rivalry and love. A very passionate love for creating a new nation. Above all, this is a story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton. A woman who went through marriage and motherhood, who experienced losing a husband, child and a sister who was also a very close friend and confidante. Her feelings and emotions through all this are movingly depicted.